The Center for Progressive Education at Presidio Hill School, which opened in the fall of 2015, is building on the school’s century-long legacy of progressive education to strengthen and expand the community dedicated to its philosophy and practices.

The CPE@PHS has several overlapping goals:

• To serve as the hub for information sharing and discussion regarding progressive education philosophy and practice among local Bay Area and West Coast educational institutions
• To partner with like-minded educators in order to learn from each other and expand the depth and reach of progressive practices
• To develop and administer a teacher apprentice program at Presidio Hill School to provide novice teachers training and hands-on experience with progressive education philosophy and practices.
• To support the mission and vision of the Progressive Education Network of which the CPE is a regional affiliate.

Mission

The mission of the Center for Progressive Education at Presidio Hill School is to develop, sustain, and champion excellence in teaching and learning grounded in the philosophy and practices of progressive education. 

In the service of this mission, the center is committed to:

• develop expertise in progressive education principles and practices among educators both within and beyond the walls of the school.
• collaborate with like-minded educators throughout the community to learn from each other’s experiences implementing progressive education methods.
• disseminate best practices to the widest possible audience so as to support excellence in teaching and learning and to help inform the public of the value of progressive education in this effort.

CPE@PHS One-Day Institute for Educators

2025 Institute: The Future of Progressive Education

In October 2025, educators from across the Bay Area gathered at Presidio Hill School for the CPE@PHS One Day Institute for Educators—a day dedicated to collaboration, inspiration, and professional growth.

The event provided a space for teachers, administrators, and staff to explore the future of education while reflecting on the core values that guide learning at PHS: agency, equity, and community.

The day opened with a keynote by Mara Krechevsky, senior researcher at Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education. Mara’s presentation, Making Learning Visible, invited participants into the world of “visible classrooms,” inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. Attendees discovered the power of observing and documenting student thinking in real time, uncovering deeper understanding, and using these insights to support both individual and group learning.

Following the keynote, participants engaged in a rich selection of workshops designed to foster creativity, reflection, and practical skills. Sessions included Energizers to Build Belonging, where attendees experienced playful strategies to strengthen community in classrooms; Community, Local and Beyond, exploring meaningful curricular connections with local and global partners; and The Progressive Power of Nature Play, which highlighted opportunities for social-emotional growth, regulation, and student agency through outdoor learning. Educators also explored student-led extracurricular programs, gamification, Indigenous identity in hyper-realistic art, woodworking, and process-based art approaches, each providing practical takeaways to bring back to their schools.

Attendees shared that the day offered both inspiration and actionable strategies. Many appreciated the opportunity to collaborate across schools, reflect on their own teaching practices, and reimagine how progressive principles can meet the needs of students in a rapidly changing world. The interactive elements—such as the video booth, lending library, and reflective activities—provided additional ways for participants to engage deeply with the themes of the day and leave with fresh ideas to implement immediately.

The 2025 CPE@PHS One Day Institute reinforced the importance of professional learning as a cornerstone of strong, innovative education. Educators left inspired and connected; equipped to continue fostering classrooms where curiosity and student voice are uplifted. We look forward to seeing you at the next institute in 2027!

Presidio Hill School for Pre-service and Early-service Educators 

Presidio Hill School is committed to supporting pre-service and early-service educators. Through partnerships with Bay Area teacher education programs such as the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute (BATTI) and other local institutions, we host apprentices, interns, student-teachers, and early-career teachers who are completing their credential and Master’s level work. Educators spend one to two years both attending classes to learn the theoretical foundations of good teaching and working in Presidio Hill classrooms with mentor teachers to practice implementing progressive approaches with students. Graduates of these programs go on to teach in public and independent schools throughout the Bay Area and beyond.